15 Van Life Essentials After You Finish Your Van Conversion
What is up guys if you are finished with your van conversion and are just about ready to embark on your van life journey, you absolutely must make sure you have these van life essentials with you before you hit the road. After about three months of van life, these are the things I found essential or wish I had.
#1. Bug Nets
I wish I had this for my van when I first set out on the road. As you are traveling, you will inevitably encounter buggy areas. That is why you need to get yourself some bug nets for your van before you head out.
With bug nets, you don’t have to worry about rushing to close your doors and windows to keep them from entering your home. They also allow you to enjoy chilling in your van with your doors open without inviting any unwanted guests into your van. Bug nets are without a doubt a must-have van life essential.
#2. Privacy Curtains:
Privacy can be a huge issue during van life. You can spend so much money on custom made window blinds but why do that when you can buy these easy to install curtains. They offer great privacy and even have some insulative properties.
#3. Welcome Mat:
Okay, I know this is a strange one, but it is something that I quickly realized I needed during van life. The reason being is that it is so easy to track dirt and sand into your van via your shoes. After just two weeks of van life, I immediately needed to pick one of these up at a hardware store. After I had this in my van, it significantly helped me reduce the amount of dirt I was dragging into my mini home on wheels.
#4. Portable Charger
Having a portable charger can be very helpful in a pinch during van life. Whenever you are away from your van for a more extended period, it is beneficial to have this guy handy should you need to recharge any of your electronics. What I love about these is that they are super easy to charge, especially when you are on a long drive.
#5. Lot's Of Water Bottles
Water is like liquid gold on the road. So carrying your water bottles around with you is a great way to conserve the water in your van’s main tank so you can try to use it for activities for eating, cooking, and cleaning dishes.
The first water bottle I recommend is the Nalgene, a classic outdoor water bottle that I use for backpacking. What I love about Nalgene’s are that they are practically indestructible, comes in various colors, and is affordable.
The following water bottle is the Hydroflask. This insulated water bottle is great at keeping your water crisp and cold. The Hydroflask is a bit pricier but does a better job keeping your water insulated compared to the Nalgene.
#6. Portable Speaker
I absolutely love this speaker it has a strap on the back that allows you to attach it to practically anything. You will be spending alot of time outdoors during van life you don’t want to do it without some tunes!
#7. Pop Up Shower Cover
This pop-up shower cover is helpful if you use an outdoor shower for your van life setup. It all comes in one piece and is very easy to set up and break down. Not to mention it is incredibly lightweight and won’t take up much space in your home on wheels.
If you do not use an outdoor shower for your van, this can also give privacy when using a portable toilet or changing clothes if there is not enough space in your vehicle.
#8. Durable Coffee Mug
If you don’t know this already, let me tell you, ceramic doesn’t last very long in a moving vehicle. I recommend getting a durable and insulated mug for your daily cup of joe. While Yeti products are a bit more expensive, their quality is the best on the market.
#9. Cell Phone Service Booster
Now, this is one of the products that I do not own, but boy do I wish I did. A cell phone service booster can allow you to get service and internet connection in some of the most remote places in the country. This is a must-have for people working remotely during van life. The only drawback is that they can get quite pricey, so I held off on buying one. Another option you can look into is Elon Musk’s new Starlink.
#10. Odor Ban!
I love these things. They are great for keeping your van smelling clean and last a long time. I have had the same one for the past couple of months, and it is still getting the job done!
#11. Phone Holder
If you are going on a van life adventure, do not do it without this van life essential. When I first went out on the road, I just kept my phone in a cup holder while the GPS was running, and it was a pain in the butt. Finally, I got myself one of these, and it was more than worth it.
#12. Laundry Bag
Laundry is not something that comes to mind when thinking about the sexy Instagram pictures of van life, but it is a necessary chore you will be doing throughout your adventure. I love this laundry bag because you can carry it around as a backpack, and it has little compartments for your detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets.
#13. Camping Chair
You will be visiting many campsites, and having a nice camping chair to lounge in is a van life essential. After a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than sitting back in my comfy camp chair and relaxing with a margarita. I love my Coleman. It is super comfortable and easy to set up and break down.
#14. Camping Table:
Eating inside your van is fine now and then, but on a beautiful summer day, you will want to enjoy your meal outside, and for that, you want this bad boy! This table is strong, durable, and an excellent addition to your meal setup if you are hosting guests.
#15. Insulated Slippers
During the morning and evening, you may find yourself going into and out of your van frequently, and when doing so, you want a pair of these guys with you. They easily slip on and off and keep your feet nice and warm during early mornings and late nights.
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